Genus: Equisetum

horsetail

This genus consists of perennial herbs that have jointed stems with a whorl of small, dark-colored leaves at each joint (some species have leaves with white margins). The leaves are joined at the base to form a ring around the stem. Sporangia are borne in unstalked strobili at the top of the stem, which look a little like those in the Lycopodiaceae family. References: Hauke (1963, 1978, 1993).